On March 15, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Brendson Ribeiro showcased his skills by submitting Diyar Nurgozhay during UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2. Ribeiro’s victory, which came via kimura at the 1:28 mark of Round 2, marks his second consecutive win after initially struggling to find success with two losses earlier in his UFC career.
This matchup was especially significant for Nurgozhay, who had generated buzz following his impressive debut on Dana White’s Contender Series. A head-kick knockout earned him his UFC contract back in October 2024, where he finished Bartosz Szewczyk. Fans were eager to see how he would perform against Ribeiro, especially since Nurgozhay came to the fight undefeated.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Nurgozhay missed weight, coming in at 210.5 pounds—4.5 pounds over the non-title light heavyweight limit. This substantial weight miss led to the fight being classified as a catchweight bout, and it raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Social media lit up with commentators urging UFC President Dana White to cut Nurgozhay from the roster for such unprofessionalism.
“Cut him instantly, first day at work,” one fan tweeted, arguing against the novice fighter’s credibility after missing weight. Another chimed in, saying, “Completely unprofessional; doesn’t deserve to fight.” While the fans’ uproar was understandable, it created additional pressure on Nurgozhay as he stepped inside the Octagon to make his debut.
Despite the accompanying drama, the fight moved forward with Ribeiro willing to take on the challenge. He capitalized on the opportunity, expertly executing his plan to grapple with Nurgozhay. After dominating some aspects of the early rounds, Ribeiro secured the winning submission, highlighting his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and accumulation of submission victories, marking the seventh of his professional career.
Following his submission triumph, Ribeiro expressed pride not only over the victory but also over bouncing back from his earlier setbacks within the UFC. "Ribeiro has won back-to-back fights after an 0-2 start to his UFC tenure," noted ESPN MMA, showcasing his determination and resilience.
Ribeiro's ability to turn his career around raises questions about his treatment as he continues to climb the light heavyweight rankings and proves his mettle against rising talents like Nurgozhay. The aftermath of the fight provides insightful reflections on Nurgozhay’s career path, as he must now face the disappointing reality of his first defeat and the way missing weight has overshadowed his debut.
The event itself, UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2, featured several notable fights beyond the light heavyweight spotlight. Fans also watched Kevin Vallejos defeat SeungWoo Choi by TKO early on, alongside TKO wins from fighters like Waldo Cortes-Acosta against Ryan Spann and Priscila Cachoeira against Josiane Nunes. It was evident this event would contribute to shaping the trajectories of various fighters.
Ribeiro’s win adds momentum to his career, but the pressure remains high for all fighters on the card, particularly how they respond to their performances afterward. For Nurgozhay, this tough debut serves as both a lesson and motivation to prepare thoroughly for future contests, ensuring he does not repeat such mistakes.
The rivalry and competitiveness within the UFC light heavyweight division continue to thrive, as showcased by this fight and the surrounding narratives. Fighters like Ribeiro and Nurgozhay are constantly pushing the boundaries and raising expectations—both for themselves and for the fans watching eagerly from the sidelines.
UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 not only provided remarkable fights but also highlighted the importance of discipline and professionalism needed at the highest levels of combat sports.